November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

[mighty mouse]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

good night to all...sweet dreams and lets wake for another AF day.!!

Thank you for the lovely cruise, MM

[lodestar]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Hi friends,

Please excuse that I am not posting to individuals here tonight. I have read all the threads and am afraid I won't be able to keep all the names straight after a long work day and I really want to respond.

Like others, I appreciate the honesty on this thread and to anyone feeling bad about possibly starting a spiral effect of drinking for others...we are all in this boat together and your stories are true and it is important we have a place to be honest and receive support. Perhaps another way to think about it is that we can live vicariously through each other's hangovers, grief, remorse, AND successes...all of that has a place and can be helpful in different ways. The strength here is amazing -- people all trying to contribute to moving this great ship forward!

Personally, should the time arise this month (which I am planning against), I would never think of coming here and deny a night of drinking to save someone else from herself/himself. This is for two reasons: 1) I want a place to be honest and to learn from and share with others, and 2) I am accountable to myself and if I drink, it is because I drank (I don't recall anyone ever putting a gun to my head). So thank you everyone for allowing me to be a part of your journey and for being a part of mine!

Those are my thoughts on the recent days of our journey together. 3 weeks AF for me on this coming Thursday. Had a momentary thought of having dinner and a drink after work tonight and then remembered how happy I've been to curl up in a soft bed each night with my water and a good book (oh AND waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and not feeling like I had to chug an entire bottle of water was divine too! Down with dehydration!). It isn't that there haven't been struggly-times this month, just that AL would have made them worse.

Many, many hugs to all. May we each have a peaceful night and an unbumpy hump day!

[redhibiscus]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Day 4 AF for me today. I was able to make it through an irritable evening last night. Just felt kind of discouraged. Practiced my spiritual stuff and that helped. Also, this morning, read some remarkable posts by Shirazgirl and Doggygirl. The positives of being AF sure do outweigh the negatives. I need to constantly remind myself of how wonderful it is to feel healthy, sleep well, and live life ODAT.

I have stuck to my plan to exercise a little in the morning before work, yoga at night, and eating right, mostly veggies and healthy foods, resulting in losing some of the weight I gained back. Everyday I choose, health or alcohol. I really want to be AF for a long period of time....to get back to the real me. I have been on a rollercoaster and want the chance for permanent change.:h:h:h:l

[dill]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

We won't stay sober long unless it's more fun than using chemicals.
The truth is, using chemicals wasn't fun anymore. It was work. We just
told ourselves it was still fun.
So live it up! Try new things. Meet new friends. Try new foods. Taking
risks and having adventures are a basic human need. So go for it.
Sobriety is fun. Living a spiritual life is fun. Get out there and live!

Those words are not mine come from the "Keep it Simple" section of the Daily Recovery Readings. They definitelly reflect my focus for the day! Here is a link to the Readings:

Daily Recovery Readings

My friends, thank you for your thoughtful posts and for sharing your lives inside and out!

Lil, good to see you yesterday. We've been missing you! Finding, I am still waiting for Jeckyll and Hyde. And, I will be staying away from the shark exhibit, too! I laughed out loud when you said you probably taste like chicken!:H

Well, I guess we put in at Cape Hope today, eh Sooty? I'm going to go see Table Mountain today.

[lilmea]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

The truth is, using chemicals wasn't fun anymore. It was work. We just
told ourselves it was still fun

Dill-Drinking the way I did not only took a lot of work, it also took a lot of energy. An old AAer once said he knew he was a strong person because only a strong person could drink the way he did. I try to keep that in mind when I am feeling weak. I am a strong person with an al problem. I need to relearn how I think about things. Relearn how to cope with life. If I use all that time & energy I use to spend drinking, and focus it on my new af goals, I know I can do it. I know we can all do it!

LHB-I think of you as our on-board poet. With your gentle posts and soft encouraging word of support.:l How is your wall of strength coming along? I hope you will post a pic of it when you are done.

Lav-I have made a note to check into your book "Thanks" When I first started here, I made a habit of writing down 5 thinks I was grateful for each day. I have decided to pull out my little notebook and start doing that again through these holiday months.

Red-With all the mess going on here at my house, I have gotten out of my daily routine of diet and exercises. It has really made a bad difference in the way I feel. I was also surprised at how important those 2 things are to my recovery program. Especially the exercise.

GFO-good for you for staying away from the drinking situations. I still stay away from them and have declared my house a 'no drinking zone' for the holidays. Why not? Lots of people have 'no smoking' houses.

Finding-So glad to here from you. I was trying to caught up on the thread and was thinking about you. How are you doing?

Happy Hump day to Sooty, Mica, MM, Mama & Lodestar.

My house is almost back in order. The good thing about all the mess is my house is now scrubbly, bubbly clean for the holidays. Even my computer has been scrubbed! It's still not quite right and the computer guy has suggested I now try a System repair to see if that will help the last few things! grrr!

Have a great af day everyone.

[Lavande]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Happy Humpday Shipmates!

Feeling spoiled waking up to another sunny day here

Red, sending you strength for a successful day 4! We're all behind you 100%.

Lodestar, a big congrats on achieving 3 AF weeks! Your determination is showing

MM, stay mighty.........your determination is showing as well! Hello to Finding too!

Dill, Sooty, Lil & LBH, thinking about you guys constantly! We've all been here together for quite some time. Please know that anything you need to say can be said here, I'm listening, we all are. You know that you are welcome to grab a helping of Lavan-itude whenever you need a boost Sobriety is fun - the best part is the Freedom. You really can do what you want, when you want. Not having to plan your day around a hangover is blissful but I think you already know that Lets keep enjoying our adventure together!

Wishing everyone a terrific Wednesday!
Lav

[mighty mouse]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Just a quick pop in to say hello, HELLO and lovely weds,

Lodestar, Oh yes I forgot I used to down the water too when I woke at night after drinking. Thanks for reminding me. One more thing I love about AF. No dehydration.

lil and Dill, I am relearning how to cope with everything, and I am strong, we all are strong, thanks for all your support

Lav, I love that freedom. My day is all mine. What shall I do? Oh I know, anything I want because I feel great.

Red, Enjoy your day and great job.

Hugs to all, MM

[sdlovespackers]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Oh Good Grief....I realized in my crazy world yesterday...and my numerous attempts to sit down and post...I never actually got one sent. I went back and reread and was like....hey, where was my post??? I don't think I ever actually got a FULL one written and sent--LOL!!!
Work has has been so crazy lately....the holidays are so hard for families...it's the time I see the most child abuse cases and domestics I think all year long...ugh...'tis the season right??!!

[sdlovespackers]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Okay...I have no idea how I just posted that last message...whatever I hit I didn't mean to!!!?? My little fingers are flyin all over the place...lol!!!

It will take me awhile to get to know everyone by 'name', so forgive me if I don't address each of you individually....Dill--I love your inspirational posts!! Way to go Captain!
Lodestar--Congrats on all the AF time!! That's awesome!!!
Red--you are bouncing back strong!!! Keep it up!!
GFO--I too agree--I think you should be very proud of yourself for how you handled what could have been a tempting situation...although I know it p*sses me off to think I "have to" give up those things....we won't feel that way after awhile...cuz we won't need to
LIL--you'll have to send pix of the newly remodeled house...how fun!!!
LAV-Loving the freedom!!! Day 10...but who's counting, right??!!

For anyone I missed...big hugs....and have a wonderful Wednesday...1/2 way to the weekend!!! Yippee!!!!!!
SD:l

[sooty]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Lav will you stop talking about your nice weather - you would not believe the weather over here and there's more bad stuff forecast. The wind woke me at 4.30 a.m. this morning it was really scarey.
I've just spent a few minutes looking back over posts on here and in newbies nest and I just wanted to say how grateful and humble I am that I found you all. I feel so supported and cared for and its given me a little warm glow and I wanted to let you know.
I've had a bit of a difficult time - don't know where these low moods come from - but thanks to you all I'm feeling strong again.
Hope you enjoy Table mountain today Dill - I'm off to Robben Island - Nelson Mandela is my hero - and what better role model of courage and determination .....
Have a good humpday my friends, keep safe
Sooty :thanks:

[Peanut]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Hello all you lovelies,
Home from work and cooking as usual. I had a really productive day today, most likely because I was clear-headed and well rested after a 9 hour sleep. I can't figure out why I seem to need so much sleep these days. And when I am tired, I'm not just sleepy, but feel ill with tiredness. I was going to go swimming last night, but was too tired, so I had some soda and cranberry and went to bed early instead. So, must whip myself into action after dinner and get to the pool.

South Africa - I looked at that sight you posted the link to, Dill, and have decided I really want to go there, like, for real!!! So many beautiful places on this planet. I need to get out of this place some day, just even for a trip a few weeks long, out of the country rather than just to the neighboring provinces - I may just have to do that next summer. I could save alot of money by not buying wine!!!!! I really do notice the change in the old bank account. Despite my slips, I am not quite as broke as I would have been had I been guzzling wine every day! A bonus I am constantly reminding myself about.

I think I'm burning something, so I better chain myself back to the stove.
Hi to everybody and sorry not to address you all, but I have been keeping up with all your goings on and you all give me such strength!
Love you guys!
xoxoxo peanut

[redhibiscus]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Hey lilean, lavanda, mm, and sdlp, thanks for the comments and encouragement. Had a pretty good day at work today, worked hard and enjoyed my day. Glad to hear everyone is doing OK and staying AF. It is usually easier during the week, but not always.

Sooty, sorry you are struggling with low moods, the weather probably does not help.

Have a great evening...AF.

[Lavande]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Evening all,

I just sent my little buddy home - I'm exhausted, I think he was too. I hope this Grandma can maintain her current energy level

My apologies to you Sooty. I didn't mean to brag about the weather here.........it's just that I know we're in for about four days of rain starting tomorrow - oh well! My mood will be shifting as we move into the dark, damp weather - yuck!

SD, good to see you as always & congrats on your 10 days or whatever the current # is

Pnut, you sound good You're not just kidding about the $$ saved since going AF. I also quit smoking this year so the $$ are really piling up. I'm using some of it to spoil my grandson

Wishing everyone a terrific AF night!
Take care.
Lav

[Lavande]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

Hi Red
Cross posted

[scrubbly]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 3

lilmea;759689 wrote: ... my house is now scrubbly, bubbly clean for the holidays. Even my computer has been scrubbed!

Well how could I not reply this evening when I'm quoted in Lil's description of her sparkly home!!

Lav: the little guys can wear a body out, I know that. I'm grateful some days that I go to the office and my 2 go to daycare...just to do something less physically taxing than on the weekends with two tigers running loose! :H

Red: Glad you had a good day at work and that things are looking up for you in general.

Pnut: You are so motivated! I went to a local health practitioner's free presentation not long ago, and he was saying that the data on exercise has turned doctor's advice a bit upside down....they used to say, "#1, don't smoke...#2, eat right, and #3, exercise" and now, it's #1, #2, and #3, all EXERCISE...and if you get to it, eat better and try not to smoke. That if people would exercise regularly they would relieve a lot more health issues than poor eating habits and smoking (in general; for the major statistics of the population anyway).

Sooty: Sorry the weather kept you from enjoying what is normally your fave day of the week! Hope things turn a bit milder for you soon across the pond.

DS - I'm in the social services realm too...it is a hard time of year, isn't it. Make sure your self-care program is well in place about now!!

MM, Lode, Dill, Finding, LBH, GFO, and anyone I missed...have a lovely evening!